Chloramines...

Water Treatment Change Coming Soon

South Toledo Bend Water District is making a change in its water making process to enhance the water you receive from your tap. In addition to the existing treatment plant processed, the new process will use chloramines to maintain a disinfectant residual in the distribution system (instead of free chlorine currently used). The change is already underway. An engineering firm was engaged in November 2003 to assist the South Toledo Bend Water District with the required studies and drawings of the proposed change to our process. The change is expected to go online within the next thirty days. This process change is not expected to adversely affect the taste or clarity of our water.

What are chloramines?

Chloramines are formed when chlorine and ammonia are combined. The disinfectant is used to kill potentially harmful bacteria in the water.

Why are we changing to chloramines?

Like many communities our size, South Toledo Bend Water District has disinfected the water with free chlorine for many years. Due to the size of the water system and the number of customers served, South Toledo Bend Water District is held to Federal and State drinking water standards when it comes to treating the water we drink. Chlorine kills bacteria in the water and prohibits the growth of bacteria in the water distribution system. However, when chlorine combines with natural organics found in water, small amounts of disinfectant byproducts (DBPS) are formed, such as but not limited to trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAA5s). Chloramines are less reactive than free chlorine. It is expected that a lower amount of DBPs will be formed when we switch to the use of chloramines in the distribution system.

Effective in January 2004, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will lower the standard rate from 100 parts per billion to 80 parts per billion as the maximum level of THMs allowed for our water supply. As a proactive step in assuring compliance with the new standard, South Toledo Bend Water District feels it is wise to investigate alternate methods of disinfection.

Are chloramines safe?

Yes, chloramines have been used safely in the U. S. and Canada for many years and the EPA recommends chloramines as one of the processes available for treating our water. South Toledo Bend Water District will begin using chloramines as a disinfectant. If we did not disinfect our water at all, disease-causing organisms could be carried in our water system.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT CHLORAMINES

As of January 28, 2004 South Toledo Bend Water District, in an effort to improve its water quality, will be using Chloramines in its disinfection process for all water produced.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT CUSTOMERS WHO ARE ON A DIALYSIS MACHINE OR WHO RAISE AQUATIC LIFE SUCH AS AQUARIUM FISH SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO REMOVE THE CHLORAMINES THAT ARE PRESENT IN THE WATER SUPPLY.

Precautions:

  • Persons who use tap water containing chloramines for hemodialysis (artificial kidney machines) must ensure that the water is properly treated to avoid a serious health problem (methemoglobinemia). The types of controls available to users include carbon filtration and reverse osmosis or chemical reduction. Operators of licensed dialysis centers know that water must be treated before use in dialysis. Dialysis operators must be prepared for an anticipated chloramine concentration of 2 to 4 milligrams per liter. The maximum concentration by law is 4 milligrams per liter. In addition, users of home dialysis systems, which utilize tap water for dialysis purposes, must ensure that the tap water is properly treated to remove chloramines prior to the use of such water for dialysis.
  • Chloramines can be deadly to fish. Since chloramine is more persistent than free chlorine (which is also toxic to fish), treatment and aging of water to be used in aquaria is more critical when chloramine is present. Suggested action for fish fanciers, breeders, or pet shop owners includes the use of activated carbon filters. Care needs to be taken to replace filter cartridges regularly.

Is chloraminated water safe to drink?

Yes, (even though chloraminated water is deadly to fish and may cause problems with persons on hemodialysis if the water is not properly treated), chloraminated water is safe to drink and is safe for bathing, cooking and other uses we have for water every day. City of Shreveport, Bossier City, and Natchitoches, and many other public water systems in Louisiana and the nation have been using chloraminated water for years.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you need additional information, contact South Toledo Bend Water District at 318-586-9836. You may ask to speak with Herman H. Herzog, Manager/Operator.

Ammonium Sulfate

On 2 February 2004, South Toledo Bend Water District started adding ammonium sulfate to its water making process to enhance the water you receive from your tap. This process develops chloramines which will be used to maintain a disinfectant residual in the distribution system (instead of free chlorine currently used). This change is not expected to adversely affect the taste or clarity of our water.